Gifted vs Created

Discuss the June 2017 Book of the Month, Superhighway by Alex Fayman. Superhighway is the first book in the Superhighway Trilogy, so feel free to use this forum to discuss not only the first book but also the other books in the series.

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Zero
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Gifted vs Created

Post by Zero »

Alex was gifted with a superpower, an ability to get into the digital world, and do what he wishes to. Now, what if you could create it (or any ability that you like) by yourself and make the power your own? What would you do? Would you create it?

And what if you had to chose between two people with same powers and abilities but different origins (i.e. one is gifted and the other has created it), who would you chose? Who would you trust more?
(Probably its like choosing between a highly intelligent human & an A.I.)
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. -Albert Einstein
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Donnavila Marie01
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Post by Donnavila Marie01 »

Wheew... Tough one. If I have the power to create and make that power, I would. I will use it to recall an ill-gotten wealth of government officials and give them back to the taxpayers.
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Zero
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Post by Zero »

Donnavila Marie01 wrote:Wheew... Tough one. If I have the power to create and make that power, I would. I will use it to recall an ill-gotten wealth of government officials and give them back to the taxpayers.
I know right? I to had a tough time deciding, and still I haven't reached​ a conclusion ??
Well your idea seems to be interesting, it's like we are Wikileaks!! :mrgreen2:
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. -Albert Einstein
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Post by kandscreeley »

I think I would always choose a highly intelligent human. I just don't trust A.I.s, probably because I've seen too many movies where they have created havoc.
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Post by Jaime Lync »

kandscreeley wrote:I think I would always choose a highly intelligent human. I just don't trust A.I.s, probably because I've seen too many movies where they have created havoc.
I second Kandscreeley. Can't trust humans either actually but they are better than getting stuck in the matrix because AIs gone rogue.
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Post by Donnavila Marie01 »

kandscreeley wrote:I think I would always choose a highly intelligent human. I just don't trust A.I.s, probably because I've seen too many movies where they have created havoc.
Nice one. Having the gift of the intellect combined with wisdom will save the world from havoc created by A.I.s.
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Post by katiesquilts »

I mentioned this is another topic as well, but I love the "everyone has superpowers hidden deep inside them, waiting to come out" trope! I always hope that if I focus on something hard enough, some switch in my brain will flick on and I'll be able to do crazy things!
I think I like the idea that everyone has an equal chance, rather than some random person being gifted with some random power. Hard work and persistence is always better than finding out about a superpower on accident and then naturally being able to use it, despite not knowing of its existence?...
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Post by Ljessup »

katiesquilts wrote:I mentioned this is another topic as well, but I love the "everyone has superpowers hidden deep inside them, waiting to come out" trope! I always hope that if I focus on something hard enough, some switch in my brain will flick on and I'll be able to do crazy things!
I think I like the idea that everyone has an equal chance, rather than some random person being gifted with some random power. Hard work and persistence is always better than finding out about a superpower on accident and then naturally being able to use it, despite not knowing of its existence?...

I agree. I like the idea that everyone has to work hard and has that equal chance. It is more rewarding to work for what someone has in their life and look back on that journey and relive it. I also don't think i'd create the power, but I can't say I am completely sure about that. I'm quite indecisive about it. Nice thinking prompt!
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Post by raizenagallo »

On choosing between the gifted vs created, I would choose the gifted. The gifted will always be hungry in creating better inventions while the created will always strive to be better than the gifted. It's like choosing Iron Man rather than choosing Jarvis because I know that Iron Man will continue making awesome things that includes the improvement of Jarvis's abilities.
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Post by Pm7lucas »

I think I would definitely choose gifted over created. Created just seems too artificial...you never know what could go wrong. Of course, gifted humans could run off the rails too! Tough one!

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Post by magicquill »

A really tough one. For me, I would choose gifted because it is the natural ability of every person. Of course there will be some flaws on it but it can still be nourished or improved. Unlike created, it's artificial, like it was just borrowed. A thing that only exist and only has limited purpose.
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Post by chupke07 »

The thing is Alex is sort of gifted this super power and also sort of created. His father had his genetics altered and it was passed to Alex. I would much rather have some sort of natural awesome ability.
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Post by sarbearah »

If I could create a superpower, I would. There are too many times that I wish I could help people but I cannot because of circumstance or whatever. This way, I wouldn't have to make that choice.

Honestly, I would choose the person that created the power. I cannot help but think that the person who created it really wanted the superpower for some reason or another and is willing to work for it - they worked so hard to get them in the first place. I am less sure as to whether or not the person who was gifted with the power is willing to improve upon the power because they were just given it - no work had to be done by the recipient. To me, it is all about hard work and effort.
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Post by Mindy Conahye »

Of course Spiderman pops into my head and I hear "with great power comes great responsibility". I think I wouldn't mind having a superpower, but I don't know if I would actually like the superpower Alex is given. It would make traveling a lot easier, but there's so much information and one wrong move could make a lot of mistakes. Like what he did with the company his grandfather had worked out. More people were affected by his decisions than he had thought through. I think I would want the ability to foresee natural disasters. That way people could get to safety sooner.
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Post by Popcorn1 »

If I have the ability to create it, I will. But if I am given the choice to choose who to trust between a gifted and a created, I will have to consider their characters first.
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